what is the difference between PS2 abd PS3

PS-3 does not require a BRC.  It is built in.  So the sound system comes right up when you power up.  PS-1 and PS-2 require a battery or a BRC for the sound system to work.  The PS-3 is no hassle operation. Price point is really no higher then the older models, 1 & 2.  I have all three and I prefer the PS-3.  It is a very good system..

Probably one of the biggest things that changed is there is no more battery required for PS3.

Either flavor of PS2 (original 5 volt or the later 3 volt system) require some sort of a rechargeable battery (or replacement such as a J&W Battery Component Replacement (BCR)).

Functionally, it's very similar, but PS3 has evolved from PS2.

-Dave

ps 2 5 volt and ps2 3 volt were the same except the ps 5 was 8.4volt which was the early 2002 board later hen ps 2 5 volt boards became obsolete they came out with ps2 3 volt AA battery which were 2  A A     batteries in series! the ps2 3 volt and 2 meg of sound file memory space@! when the ps 2 3volt boards became obsolete due to some of the parts on the boards were no longer available. then came out the ps 3 which no longer used batteries but had on board super caps that would charge up when the engine was first powered up for about 10 seconds. the sound file in the ps 3 board then had 4 megs of sound file space! the psp 2 boards had to be wired red wire to center rail black wire to outside rails. when the ps 3 cam out the red n black were coming out of the transformer did not matter there is no polarity for ps3 but ps2 must be red center rail and black outside rail or they will no be able to add to remote! 

hope this helps!

also sometimes the ps 2 3 volt boards can be repaired but the ps 2 5 volt board are usually Done when they fail!

If you are looking to buy a new in box engine, I am not sure why you would consider a PS2 engine as I think PS3 engines have been out now for about 5 years.  Putting it a slightly different way would you buy a new 5 year old car.   If you are getting a great deal on it, sure why not but otherwise I would recommend highly PS3 engines.

John

& DCC onboard with PS3

enhanced or stronger signal handling too.

All truly new will most likely be PS3. Unless you’re looking at THE loco and it only comes in PS2 and most likely used condition. If the latter is the case, I’d look up the part number and make sure it’s a 3V PS2 loco as you may have luck getting that repaired. I’ve been reading in the last few minutes that the 5V ones may be irreparable and then your in for $170 (DIY) to over 300 to install PS3

Depends upon the particular engine in question. For example, I own both PS2 and PS3 GG-1s. The PS2s have better features. Era appropriate headlights, smoke better, marker lights reverse when the direction changes (they are fixed on the PS3s) and have a better horn.

Pat

Thanks to all of you I wont buy that ps2 loco.

Personally, I feel that the PS2 3-volt is more stable, with fewer quirks.  I have some 20 PS2 3-volt engines, on all of which I have replaced the batteries with a supercapacitor.  They are rock solid. Some of these were over 1years old, NIB, when I bought them, immediately replacing the battery with a supercap.

PS2 5-colt (8.4 volt battery) I would not touch.